SHOPLIFTER Lela Selimi sandwiched an appearance in court between offences of shoplifting.

Blackburn magistrates heard the Albanian asylum-seeker started the day stealing clothing worth £115 from a town centre shop before attending court.

And having been made subject to a community rehabilitation order, she left court and committed two more offences.

Selimi, 21, of Victoria Street, Darwen, admitted stealing from Bay Trader and Argos, and handling goods stolen from Next and River island. She was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for three years and ordered to do 100 hours community punishment. Passing sentence, the chairman of the bench said the court had been very lenient.

"Should you commit similar offences in future it is very likely you will go to prison," he warned.

Francis McEntee, prosecuting, said Selimi had appeared in court last June 16 when she was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for offences of shoplifting.

"What is now clear is that the offences you are dealing with today were committed either side of that court appearance," said Mr McEntee. "Having taken some property from River Island before she came to court, the second theft was committed within hours if not minutes of her leaving this building."

Sian Hall, defending, referred to a pre-sentence report which she said showed her client had numerous problems.

"The report provides a great deal of detail of her traumatic life so far," said Miss Hall. "I don't feel it is appropriate for me to read those out in court and she finds them very difficult to cope with."